Live and Learn (19 Jun. 2011)

The world is left in tatters after a sudden, unprovoked and unexplained invasion by aliens, leaving the planet's remaining human population to fight for survival against the occupiers. ... See full summary »

Director:

Carl Franklin

Writers:

Robert Rodat (creator), Robert Rodat

Stars:

Noah Wyle, Moon Bloodgood, Drew Roy

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Noah Wyle	...	Tom Mason
Moon Bloodgood	...	Anne Glass
Drew Roy	...	Hal Mason
Jessy Schram	...	Karen Nadler
Maxim Knight	...	Matt Mason
Seychelle Gabriel	...	Lourdes
Peter Shinkoda	...	Dai
Mpho Koaho	...	Anthony
Connor Jessup	...	Ben Mason
Will Patton	...	Captain Weaver
Bruce Gray	...	Uncle Scott
Dale Dye	...	Jim Porter
Dylan Authors	...	Jimmy Boland
Brent Jones	...	Click
Lynne Deragon	...	Kate Gordon

Storyline

The world is left in tatters after a sudden, unprovoked and unexplained invasion by aliens, leaving the planet's remaining human population to fight for survival against the occupiers. History professor Tom Mason has been named second in command for the 2nd Mass, but his real focus is on his three sons, one of whom has been captured by the aliens for an unknown purpose.

---

Plot Keywords:

alien | fight | invasion | shooting | narrated by a boy | 

---

Genres:

Action | Sci-Fi | Thriller

---

Details

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 June 2011 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Ajax, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

DreamWorks Television, TNT Originals

Technical Specs

Runtime:

43 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the beginning of the Pilot, humans are engaged in active battle with Skitters and Mechs. At one point, during a human partial retreat, one young woman runs full tilt at the fighters, yelling: "South Boston! South Boston! They've just taken South Boston!". South Boston contains Dorchester Heights, where George Washington forced British troops to evacuate during the American Revolutionary War. So this would indicate a serious conquest for the aliens - taking a section of human real estate with such distinct historical value.

---

Goofs

Porter says he's sending one group of people to Marblehead and another along Route 3 to Revere in order to scatter them from skitter aerial recon. Revere is on the way to Marblehead from Boston, and neither US Route 3 nor State Route 3 go anywhere near Revere.

---

Quotes

Dai: They die just like we do. You just have to get close.

---

Soundtracks

"End Credits Theme"
(uncredited)
Performed by Falling Skies Orchestra

User Reviews

Thought I had missed the first half of the series?

I have just seen the first 2 episodes of the new series falling skies. Well I didn't know that at the time? I thought I had stumbled across episodes 8 and 9. reason why i say that is because there is no real explanation to why the aliens attack? You also don't get to see the initial alien invasion. We are thrown into the story 6 months after the alien attack and it is the aftermath that we get to watch rather then see the white house been blown up or Big Ben destroyed by a hovering battle ship and its single beam of powerful light.

This is an interesting take really, and once I realised that I had to use my imagination of what the attack was like for the poor humans I now get to see how the few remaining survivors there are band together in their united struggle to find food, weapons, survivors and more importantly the answers on how to fight their 6 legged enemy back!!

Lots of politics going on too!! There is not only a war going on between humans and squids but humans are fighting humans in a survival of the fitness trend. Rag tag scavengers are killing for food and weapons. Sounds like a bit of a shame really considering the circumstances? But that's human nature for you! and there is also growing tension between the military and civilians who are now dubbed 'eaters' by their soldier protectors as they are a little bit bitter about all the grub that gets eaten. So a potential under class is developing already. Children are missing play time and the parents are squabbling on who should be squatting in the nice dead family's house :(

What also sounds interesting is that children are constantly been captured by the alien scum and 'harnassed' in a invasion of the body snatchers feel approach to things where if the alien parasite is forcefully removed from its host, the host will die!! sound familiar?

Lets look at what the facts are, or well I gather from the talkings of my fellow survivors; 1 There has been an unprovoked alien attack, they started in the big cities with an arial strike then placed millions of foot soldiers to take care of the rest - why? We don't know yet? 2 They have killed on site and rounded/captured humans in to concentration camps then nuked the camps for good measure 3 They like to 'harness' little kids 4 they respond and are attracted to thermal temperature and noise 5. They have 6 legs but wear mechanical suits to portray the image that they only have two? must be for the ladies as no one like a damp squid. 6. We don't know how to kill them yet but we are going to find out

Anyway, I must say, this has been enjoyable so far and I will continue to watch with much interest. don't think much of the special effects but the acting and 100's of extras who can be seen on one shot has been impressive. Noah Wiley is also an actor I have unfairly critised before actually witnessing what he is capable of. He's much better in this then that library dude!!!